HousingGermany

The apartment viewing in Germany

Die Wohnungsbesichtigung

At the viewing you hand over your documents, inspect the flat closely and ask the right questions. You do not sign anything under pressure.

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Overview

The viewing is your only chance to see the flat as it really is, and the landlord's chance to get to know you. In big cities it is often a group viewing attended by dozens of applicants at the same time, so there is little time to talk.

You therefore need to arrive prepared: your papers in a folder, a short list of questions and eyes open for defects. This guide explains how a viewing works, what to check, what a landlord may ask about and when to stop and think before you decide.

1

Before the viewing

Confirm the appointment with a short message the day before and check the address and time.

  • Prepare your application folder complete and on paper, because many landlords collect folders on the spot.
  • Dress neatly and cleanly; a formal suit is not needed.
  • Arrive five minutes early and no more, and avoid being late, which counts against you.
  • Research the neighbourhood in advance: transport, schools, shops and noise, and compare the price with average rents in the area.
2

What to inspect

Check walls and ceilings for damp patches or mould, open and close the windows and test the insulation, run the taps and check water pressure and temperature, and look at the type of heating, the age of appliances and the lift.

  • Ask for the energy performance certificate (Energieausweis), because the landlord must show it to you and it indicates the expected heating consumption.
  • Test the phone signal and internet, look at the sockets, and check floors, kitchen and bathroom.
  • Take photos if the landlord allows it and write your notes down straight away.
3

Questions you ask and questions you are asked

Ask about the total costs, the deposit, the move-in date, the length of the contract and possible increases (whether the rent is stepped, Staffelmiete, or tied to inflation, Indexmiete), about pets and subletting, about the neighbours and about why the previous tenant left.

  • The landlord may ask about your job, your income and how many people will live there.
  • Questions about your religion, origin or plans to have children are not allowed, you are entitled not to answer them truthfully, and they may breach the Equal Treatment Act.
4

After the viewing and the decision

Landlords often present the contract at the viewing and ask for an immediate decision.

  • Do not be swept along by this pressure: you have every right to take the contract home to read it and to take a day or two to think.
  • Send a short thank-you message the same day expressing your interest, which sets you apart from other applicants.
  • If you are accepted, ask for the contract in writing and read it carefully.
  • When you receive the keys, ask for a handover report (Übergabeprotokoll) and record every existing defect in it to protect your deposit when you move out.
5

Group viewings and how to make a good impression

In a group viewing the landlord compares you with the others without saying so. Greet everyone politely and introduce yourself in two sentences: who you are, what you do and why you want this particular flat.

  • Ask two serious questions and no more, since too many questions slow everyone down.
  • Hand your folder directly to the landlord instead of leaving it on the table, and leave your phone number and email clearly visible.
  • Respect and honesty matter more than polished words, because the landlord is looking for a tenant who pays on time and looks after the flat.
6

Families and special needs

If you are moving with children, ask about nearby schools, nurseries and playgrounds, and about a lift or stairs that are difficult for a pushchair.

  • If you need a ground-floor flat or one without steps for health reasons, say so early.
  • For larger families the number of rooms matters, and the landlord may limit the number of occupants, so ask about that openly.
  • If you will pray at home there is no need to mention it, but ask about sound insulation between flats if that matters to you.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Confirm the appointment and prepare your application folder on paper.

  2. 2

    Read about the neighbourhood and compare the price with the local average.

  3. 3

    Arrive five minutes early and shake the landlord's hand with a smile.

  4. 4

    Check damp, windows, heating and taps and ask for the energy certificate.

  5. 5

    Ask your questions about costs, deposit and contract and note the answers.

  6. 6

    Take the contract to read calmly and send a thank-you message the same day.

Documents checklist

  • The complete application folder with a paper copy.
  • Passport or ID and residence permit.
  • Proof of income and the SCHUFA report.
  • A pen, a notebook and a phone for photos.

Key vocabulary

  • dieBesichtigung
    viewing
  • derEnergieausweis
    energy performance certificate
  • derSchimmel
    mould
  • dieHeizung
    heating
  • dasÜbergabeprotokoll
    handover report
  • Mängel
    defects
  • dieStaffelmiete
    stepped rent
  • derEinzugstermin
    move-in date
  • derNachmieter
    successor tenant
  • dieUntervermietung
    subletting
  • derSchlüssel
    key

Useful phrases

  • Ist die Wohnung renoviert?Has the flat been renovated?
  • Wie alt ist die Heizung?How old is the heating system?
  • Darf ich Fotos machen?May I take photos?
  • Warum zieht der Vormieter aus?Why is the previous tenant moving out?
  • Kann ich den Vertrag mit nach Hause nehmen?Can I take the contract home?
  • Ich melde mich morgen bei Ihnen.I will get back to you tomorrow.

During the viewing

  • Vermieterin

    Guten Tag, kommen Sie herein. Das ist das Wohnzimmer.Good day, come in. This is the living room.

  • Sie

    Guten Tag. Die Wohnung ist schön hell. Wie alt ist die Heizung?Good day. The flat is nice and bright. How old is the heating?

  • Vermieterin

    Sie wurde vor fünf Jahren erneuert. Den Energieausweis zeige ich Ihnen gleich.It was renewed five years ago. I will show you the energy certificate in a moment.

  • Sie

    Danke. Sind die Nebenkosten in der Miete enthalten?Thank you. Are the running costs included in the rent?

  • Vermieterin

    Nein, die Nebenkosten betragen zweihundert Euro im Monat.No, the running costs are two hundred euros a month.

  • Sie

    Verstanden. Kann ich den Vertrag mit nach Hause nehmen?Understood. Can I take the contract home?

Common mistakes

  • Signing the contract at once for fear of losing the flat, then discovering defects or unfair clauses.
  • Ignoring damp and mould because the flat is cheap, when the cure and the dispute cost more later.
  • Answering personal questions the landlord may not ask instead of declining them politely.

Cultural tips

  • Visit the neighbourhood in the evening and at the weekend to learn the real noise level.
  • Ask a neighbour about living in the building if you meet one, since that is the most honest source.
  • Bring a friend who speaks German fluently to give a second opinion and follow what is said quickly.

Official links

Check yourself

Question 1 of 5

Which document must the landlord show you about energy use?

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